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Saturday, February 03, 2007

For a cause borderless

Without doubt Max Mueller Bhavan (MMB) is one of the important landmarks of the cultural map of the city. For one thing, it gives us a chance see recent German films. It is also the destination to learn German language.However, it is little surprising when MMB announces a film series on environmental issues titled, Borderless: Humans and Environment in a Global World. Environment is not technically a part of cultural exchanges, is it?No. Agrees Dr Eva Wolf-Manfre, Director of Max Mueller Bhavan. But, she adds, environment is an important issue, whether it is Germany or India. There is a growing awareness in the media and civic life, particularly in Germany, about environmental issues. In India too, there are talks about saving the environment, yet there is a long way to go. This series is a step towards creating awareness.Organised in collaboration with ECOMOVE, an organisation active both at a German and international level, which supports and promotes audio-visual media dealing with environmental issues and sustainable development, and NFAI, the series aims at showcasing a selection of films from all over the world.The event is at National Film Achieve of India (NFAI) from January 21 to January 25 at 6:30 pm daily. Each screening each day followed by a discussion which would be moderated by Dr Wolf-Manfre and Michael Greif, the project manager of ECOMOVE. Admission is free on the first come first serve basis.The USP of the event, as Dr Wolf-Manfre explains, is not only creating environmental awareness, but also to provide a solution. Hence, the stress is on the discussions, where the audience is encouraged to take part actively.So, come to NFAI this week and see what can you do for the environment.

The schedule

January 21

Water Business is Good Business (India)Directed by: Sanjay Barnela/Vasant SaberwalThe film travels from Delhi to Indore and from Bombay to Chennai to explore the accelerating water crisis as well as the politics and economics of urban water supplies.

Drowned Out (UK)Directed by: Franny ArmstrongIt follows the villagers of Jalsindhi through hunger strikes, rallies, police brutality and a six-year Supreme Court case as a result of filling the Narmada Dam.

January 22

Harvesting Hunger (India)Directed by: Krishnendu BoseThere are over 300 million people in India who do not have enough food to meet basic nutritional requirements. The film explores the deepening crisis in food security in the country.

Life Running Out of Control (Germany)Directed by: Bertram Verhaag/Gabriele KröberThe film embarks on a global journey to explore the progressive and continual genetic manipulation of plants, animals and human beings.

January 23

The Many Faces of Madness (India)Directed by: Amar KanwarThis film confronts the intensity and impact of globalisation and industrialisation.

100% Cotton—Made in India (Germany)Directed by: Inge AltemeierThe film traces cotton from its origins through its sale and covers the consequences it has on both man and the environment.

Bullshit (Sweden)Directed by: Pea Holmquist/Suzanne KhardalianThis documentary follows Vandana Shiva, environmental activist and nuclear physicist over a period of two years as she progresses from her organic farm at the foot of the Himalayas to arrive at institutions of power all over the world.

January 24Watery Visions (Thirsty Planet) (Germany)Directed by: Henning Hesse/Martin FenschOver 1.2 billion of the world’s population have no access to clean drinking water. This documentary presents the dramatic development as well as new approaches and solutions to the crisis.

Shipbreakers (Canada)Directed by : Michael KottThe film vividly captures both the haunting beauty of the ships and the deplorable conditions of the workers in Alang, a village in Gujarat.

January 25

Surplus-Terrorized into being Consumers (Sweden)Directed by: Erik GandiniThe film deals with growing consumerism and its manifold impact on society.

Looking for Coal (Germany)Directed by: Gunnar Walter /Roland WagnerA portrayal of how the workers of India’s oldest coalmine in Dhanbad are trying to survive from coal risking their lives in an attempt to feed their families.

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About Me

Dibyajyoti Sarma worked as Senior Copy Editor with a national daily published from Pune, and later in Delhi, India. He wrote his pre-doctoral thesis on Western Queer Theory and how it differs from Indian queer experience. He has published two volumes of poems 'Glimpses of a Personal History' from Writers Workshop, Kolkata, in 2004, and Pages From An Unfinished Autobiography from i, write, imprint, New Delhi, and a volume of interviews co-edited with R Raj Rao, 'Whistling in the Dark: 21 Queer Interviews' from Sage Publication, New Delhi, in 2009. He is currently working on his first novel, 'Being Alive', and a short story collection, 'Che isn't just a T-Shirt'. His writings have appeared in both print and web magazines.